Medical board sanctions Portland surgeon for overcharging, overprescribing and conflicts of interest

Think Out Loud

Medical board sanctions Portland surgeon for overcharging, overprescribing and conflicts of interest

Clean

Published on Jan 31, 2024, 1:12:15 PM
Total time: 00:14:39

Episode Description

For the past year, Portland neurosurgeon Darrell Brett hasn’t been charging his patients for his services, but only as a result of disciplinary action. In an in-depth investigation conducted by the Oregon Medical Board that began in 2017, Brett was found to have grossly overcharged his patients for surgical procedures, overprescribed painkillers and referred his patients to a specimen testing company he owned. Lucas Manfield is a reporter for Willamette Week. He joins us to share more about this specific case and how it reflects failures in the system of oversight and regulation by the state medical board and other agencies.  

More about Think Out Loud

OPB's daily conversation covering news, politics, culture and the arts. Hosted By Dave Miller.